Japan Apple Stores serve as rallying point after massive quake

Crowds have flocked to the Apple Stores in Japan in order to stay connected after last week's devastating earthquake, according to e-mails reportedly from an Apple retail store manager in Japan.

"With the phone and train lines down, taxis stopped, and millions of people stuck in the Tokyo shopping district scared, with no access to television, hundreds of people were swarming into Apple stores," an unnamed Apple Store manager in Japan wrote in an email to Digg founder Kevin Rose.

As the fifth largest earthquake in recorded history, the "Great Tohoku Earthquake," which reached a magnitude of 9.0 on the moment magnitude scale, and subsequent tsunami have caused untold damage and loss of life since striking off the coast of Japan last Friday.

The Apple Store manager compared the role of the company's retail stores during the aftermath to that of "electronics shops that have TVs in the display windows" in disaster movies.

"Staff brought out surge protectors and extension cords with 10s of iOS device adapters so people could charge their phones & pads and contact their loved ones," the manager wrote, noting that the Apple retail stores are some of the only locations to offer free Wi-Fi in Japan. "Even after we finally had to close 10pm, crowds of people huddled in front of our stores to use the wifi into the night, as it was still the only way to get access to the outside world."

In a second e-mail, the correspondent explained how Apple Stores also became a refuge for Apple employees and their families. With transportation at a standstill and numerous workers stranded in downtown Tokyo, "Apple told all of their staff - Retail AND Corporate - that they could go sleep at the Apple stores," the manager said. The company also reportedly offered to reimburse any costs incurred by employees trying to get home.

Apple is accepting Red Cross donations through iTunes for relief work in Japan, while AT&T is offering free calls and texts to Japan through the end of March.

Japan has become an important market for Apple, as the company's products, especially the iPhone and iPad, have gained popularity. Last year, one research firm reported that Apple had taken roughly 72 percent of total smartphone sales in the country. The iPad was also well-received when it launched there last May.

Apple currently operates 7 retail stores in the country. Revenue from Japan comprised 5.4 percent of Apple's overall revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

According to analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, the earthquake could adversely affect Apple's income by as much as $202 million in the March quarter. In a worst case scenario, which assumes no sales in Japan for the first half of the June quarter, Munster sees a negative impact of 2.7 percent, or $563 million.

According to analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, the earthquake could adversely affect Apple's income by as much as $202 million in the March quarter. In a worst case scenario, which assumes no sales in Japan for the first half of the June quarter, Munster sees a negative impact of 2.7 percent, or $563 million.

What nonsense. A country of 125 million people, the third largest economy in the world, with its citizens among the world's wealthiest are going to stop buying computers, MP3 players, phones, and tablets because of a natural disaster?

Talk about an analyst stretching his capabilities and relevance just to stay within the story line.

Rad this on kevin's website. I wonder what the store design was for this particular store if they were able to survive the quake. Granted Tokyo was pretty far away from the epicenter, but no way this was a glass cube.

There was also a guy, who asked the staff to help him post images about the earthquake-tsunami to share with others. The images he collated were even more horrific than the ones shown in the US networks.

Since it was already much later, and near closing time, the Apple staff, the guy and I got into a discussion about energy and nuclear energy.

He turned out to be Japanese when I asked later.

There are many Japanese in Boston (including two in the Red Sox). The community is rallying to help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheff

Rad this on kevin's website. I wonder what the store design was for this particular store if they were able to survive the quake. Granted Tokyo was pretty far away from the epicenter, but no way this was a glass cube.

Pretty awesome though on apple' part do do something like this.

Since the 1980's, the government mandated that all new tall buildings must comply to mandated earthquake codes. It is actually pretty neat technology -- the buildings sway", just like a bamboo, to go along with severe stress (typhoons, and mainly earthquake). I just do not know up to what Reichter scale the mandate was.

If you follow the news, most of the deaths and destructions was caused by the tsunami.

Just another note, all the reactors that were in peril were based from Westinghouse technology. The impact of the meltdown (which already was confirmed) may even be more longer lasting than that of the tsunami.

Canada developed a different kind of nuclear reactor technology, called CANDU, that was less prone to undergo nuclear meltdown. But, of course, Westinghouse had more clout and became more widely constructed in a number of other countries.

My girl is going to Japan this weekend. I'm trying to get her iPad2 this week, so she can bring that with her instead of her old macbook.

Japanese people are very smart and they love Apple products. They're also more civilized than many other groups of people. Do you see any looting and such, even after that huge quake and tsunami? I'm not Japanese, that is just my observation.

What nonsense. A country of 125 million people, the third largest economy in the world, with its citizens among the world's wealthiest are going to stop buying computers, MP3 players, phones, and tablets because of a natural disaster?

Talk about an analyst stretching his capabilities and relevance just to stay within the story line.

I am really surprised about the brazenness of Gene Muster's predictions and projections. I would be more cautious if I have his record. But, he seems to be getting bolder and more brazen.

I am not as much concerned with the near term. I am more concerned about the potential disruption in supply of raw materials and the final assembly.

Before Apple growth really exploded, there was a time when a really bad weather in Taiwan affected the availability (delay) of Mac products. If I am not mistaken, most of the final assemby of Apple products are now in China-Taiwan with major supplies coming significantly from China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. All part of the ring of fire as well as regularly subjected to super typhoons becoming more frequent the past few years.

Japanese people are very smart and they love Apple products. They're also more civilized than many other groups of people. Do you see any looting and such, even after that huge quake and tsunami? I'm not Japanese, that is just my observation.

Somehow, I got hooked to Japanese culture, even before I learned to read. I stumbled into a glossy Japanese magazine in our house. I do not know how it got there.

My girl is going to Japan this weekend. I'm trying to get her iPad2 this week, so she can bring that with her instead of her old macbook.

Japanese people are very smart and they love Apple products. They're also more civilized than many other groups of people. Do you see any looting and such, even after that huge quake and tsunami? I'm not Japanese, that is just my observation.

Don't try to tell an elderly Chinese person that the Japanese are civilized... I'll say this, the Japanese are extremely polite and selfless, but with a terrible past that 95% of modern Japanese had nothing to do with...Although they do some terrible things to dolphins...

I've always wondered why Apple has not been more successful in Japan until recently. Apple and Japan seem made for each other. Japanese are known to pay more for quality, enjoy a zen aesthetic, they highly value reliability, etc.

Anyway I digress. This story was actually very touching, imagining all the people huddled around to find whatever news they could made me a little misty. I certainly wish all the best towards them.

My girl is going to Japan this weekend. I'm trying to get her iPad2 this week, so she can bring that with her instead of her old macbook.

I know this probably sound stupid, but I if were you I won't let my girl go to Japan this weekend. Things are evolving so fast there right now and there's no way to know if the Japanese government is telling the whole truth on this.

I know this probably sound stupid, but I if were you I won't let my girl go to Japan this weekend. Things are evolving so fast there right now and there's no way to know if the Japanese government is telling the whole truth on this.

She had booked her ticket well in advance of these current events. The area that she is going to (western Japan) is not located close to any of the areas that seem to have been affected by the quake and tsunami, but we are keeping an eye on the situation and if something changes, then she can always delay her trip. She is visiting family there, so I'm sure that they have first hand knowledge of exactly how things are where they are located.

Don't try to tell an elderly Chinese person that the Japanese are civilized... I'll say this, the Japanese are extremely polite and selfless, but with a terrible past that 95% of modern Japanese had nothing to do with...Although they do some terrible things to dolphins...

I'm a big war history buff, and yes, they have been quite brutal at times. Luckily, their militarism and warrior code seems to be a thing of the past.

Rad this on kevin's website. I wonder what the store design was for this particular store if they were able to survive the quake. Granted Tokyo was pretty far away from the epicenter, but no way this was a glass cube.

Contrary to common wisdom, glass is actually an excellent structural material. I see no reason a properly constructed "glass cube" Apple store would not have survived the quake, so long as nothing falling from another building struck it.

What nonsense. A country of 125 million people, the third largest economy in the world, with its citizens among the world's wealthiest are going to stop buying computers, MP3 players, phones, and tablets because of a natural disaster?

Talk about an analyst stretching his capabilities and relevance just to stay within the story line.

Yup. What a moronic tool he is!
It's even conceivable Apple might do better in Japan as people will need to replace broken or lost electronics. And even people who have lost much may well seek the compact and mobile comfort and connection an iPad or iPhone could provide them.
In any case, I just hope folks can make it safely through the next week or so, as this seems to be a critical time when delivery of supplies and help will greatly lag the need for them.

Indeed. I never gave much thought to any "analysts" before I started reading various tech sites. But the more I read about these "analysts" and their predictions with all things relating to Apple, I'm starting to really dislike those people. Most of them seem to be completely clueless morons. I can't believe that they actually get paid money to just sit around all day and make dumb predictions, pulling numbers out of their butts.

What nonsense. A country of 125 million people, the third largest economy in the world, with its citizens among the world's wealthiest are going to stop buying computers, MP3 players, phones, and tablets because of a natural disaster?

Talk about an analyst stretching his capabilities and relevance just to stay within the story line.

I doubt it will stop but there will be a decrease in sales as many people make donations towards the disaster relief and "gaman-suru".

There will also be reduced access to the Apple stores if they are included in the rolling blackouts over the next two months.

However, I think there may also be donations of computer equipment down the road once towns start rebuilding.

Your = the possessive of you, as in, "Your name is Tom, right?" or "What is your name?"

You're = a contraction of YOU + ARE as in, "You are right" --> "You're right."

My girl is going to Japan this weekend. I'm trying to get her iPad2 this week, so she can bring that with her instead of her old macbook.

Japanese people are very smart and they love Apple products. They're also more civilized than many other groups of people. Do you see any looting and such, even after that huge quake and tsunami? I'm not Japanese, that is just my observation.

I've never been to Japan, so I don't have any first hand knowledge or first hand experience of the country or their internal affairs. Even if what you link to is true, I don't see how that makes my statement not true.

Are they not behaving vastly more civilized than other groups of people when faced with a crisis situation or a natural disaster? That was the only point I was trying to make.

Well done to the staff of that Apple store for helping people as best they can and not just locking the doors. Terrible tragedy, my heart goes out to those affected. I hope Apple extends the donation option to other iTunes stores around the world. The Red Cross is an international organisation.

There are some companies really stepping up and offering cash and subsidies to aid the Japan earthquake effort.

Apart from opening another avenue for donation, is Apple doing likewise? I know that Steve is not particularly known for his philanthropy but is Apple doing anything other than what they, in the normal course of things, offer as a matter of course?

I haven't seen anything but I also haven't looked for it. The news has announced several donations by large companies but they honestly have been pretty overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information flowing in regarding the nuclear reactors (and the need to present this in a way that people who know nothing about it can digest it), aftershocks (there have been two or three in just the past 15 minutes... all TVs in country get automatic warnings; one was a 5.2 and another was a 3.0), the rare rescue, evacuation sites... you get the picture.

Your = the possessive of you, as in, "Your name is Tom, right?" or "What is your name?"

You're = a contraction of YOU + ARE as in, "You are right" --> "You're right."

Jobs isn't known for philanthropy, however, he is a private person. He strikes me as the type of guy who if he was going to give money he wouldn't advertise it. I suspect it would be donated in an anonymousness fashion.

Apple also publicly donated money and product after 911. It also occasionally donates to issues it supports. It donated money to over turn the anti-gay marriage ban in California. Steve also seems compassionate. When that kid was murdered a few years ago for an iPod, Jobs called the father to ask if there was anything he could do personally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsherly

There are some companies really stepping up and offering cash and subsidies to aid the Japan earthquake effort.

Apart from opening another avenue for donation, is Apple doing likewise? I know that Steve is not particularly known for his philanthropy but is Apple doing anything other than what they, in the normal course of things, offer as a matter of course?

My girl is going to Japan this weekend. I'm trying to get her iPad2 this week, so she can bring that with her instead of her old macbook.

Japanese people are very smart and they love Apple products. They're also more civilized than many other groups of people. Do you see any looting and such, even after that huge quake and tsunami? I'm not Japanese, that is just my observation.

If you call being among the most racist people on the face of the planet civilized, then sure.

Next time you're over there make some comments about how nice Chinese or Taiwanese or Korean people are. Watch the meltdown that ensues.

I suppose everyone's experiences differ, but I met quite a lot of people working over there, and they take racist to a new level.

What nonsense. A country of 125 million people, the third largest economy in the world, with its citizens among the world's wealthiest are going to stop buying computers, MP3 players, phones, and tablets because of a natural disaster?

Talk about an analyst stretching his capabilities and relevance just to stay within the story line.

I can see you're up on current events. If their prime minister keeps lying to them about the nuclear emergency they're facing, they'll be dead from radiation poisoning.

Who's gonna buy then? This situation is serious, in case you hadn't noticed from the cave.

[;1829053]They're also more civilized than many other groups of people. Do you see any looting and such, even after that huge quake and tsunami? I'm not Japanese, that is just my observation.

I dont think your reasoning is sound here or Im reading it the wrong way. I dont think one can judge a group of people as being more or less civilized without coming across at best biased and at worst racist/bigoted, which I dont think you meant in any way. There simply is no test to determine who is more civilized since the term is defined by opinion, not fact.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"